X308 newbie questions
Discussion
Morning all!
Picked up my new (to me) V8 Sovereign on Xmas Eve, and it's lovely apart from a couple of issues:
1. Steering wheel vibration between 50-60mph
2. Have had the "restricted performance" error a couple of times
3. The drivers door check-strap doesn't appear to be connected
Here are my guesses - can someone please sanity check:
1. Worn bushes, possibly wishbones?
2. Needs fault codes reading to identify fault. The error has cleared and normal service resumed within 5 mins of it appearing so possibly duff sensor? Any recommendations on where to get this done near Wimbledon area (or software to do it if possible)?
3. Suppose I need to strip the door to reconnect inside. Sounds like a horrible job.
And, a couple of other questions while I'm here. Unless I'm in Sport mode, it doesn't seem keen to drop down 2 gears when using the kickdown. Is that normal? And should the standard CD changer play CD-Rs? Again, it doesn't seem keen to...
Otherwise am loving the car and it's 21mpg of awesomeness!
Picked up my new (to me) V8 Sovereign on Xmas Eve, and it's lovely apart from a couple of issues:
1. Steering wheel vibration between 50-60mph
2. Have had the "restricted performance" error a couple of times
3. The drivers door check-strap doesn't appear to be connected
Here are my guesses - can someone please sanity check:
1. Worn bushes, possibly wishbones?
2. Needs fault codes reading to identify fault. The error has cleared and normal service resumed within 5 mins of it appearing so possibly duff sensor? Any recommendations on where to get this done near Wimbledon area (or software to do it if possible)?
3. Suppose I need to strip the door to reconnect inside. Sounds like a horrible job.
And, a couple of other questions while I'm here. Unless I'm in Sport mode, it doesn't seem keen to drop down 2 gears when using the kickdown. Is that normal? And should the standard CD changer play CD-Rs? Again, it doesn't seem keen to...
Otherwise am loving the car and it's 21mpg of awesomeness!
dan101smith said:
Morning all!
Picked up my new (to me) V8 Sovereign on Xmas Eve, and it's lovely apart from a couple of issues:
1. Steering wheel vibration between 50-60mph
2. Have had the "restricted performance" error a couple of times
3. The drivers door check-strap doesn't appear to be connected
Here are my guesses - can someone please sanity check:
1. Worn bushes, possibly wishbones?
2. Needs fault codes reading to identify fault. The error has cleared and normal service resumed within 5 mins of it appearing so possibly duff sensor? Any recommendations on where to get this done near Wimbledon area (or software to do it if possible)?
3. Suppose I need to strip the door to reconnect inside. Sounds like a horrible job.
And, a couple of other questions while I'm here. Unless I'm in Sport mode, it doesn't seem keen to drop down 2 gears when using the kickdown. Is that normal? And should the standard CD changer play CD-Rs? Again, it doesn't seem keen to...
Otherwise am loving the car and it's 21mpg of awesomeness!
Welcome to the delights of Jaguar ownership Picked up my new (to me) V8 Sovereign on Xmas Eve, and it's lovely apart from a couple of issues:
1. Steering wheel vibration between 50-60mph
2. Have had the "restricted performance" error a couple of times
3. The drivers door check-strap doesn't appear to be connected
Here are my guesses - can someone please sanity check:
1. Worn bushes, possibly wishbones?
2. Needs fault codes reading to identify fault. The error has cleared and normal service resumed within 5 mins of it appearing so possibly duff sensor? Any recommendations on where to get this done near Wimbledon area (or software to do it if possible)?
3. Suppose I need to strip the door to reconnect inside. Sounds like a horrible job.
And, a couple of other questions while I'm here. Unless I'm in Sport mode, it doesn't seem keen to drop down 2 gears when using the kickdown. Is that normal? And should the standard CD changer play CD-Rs? Again, it doesn't seem keen to...
Otherwise am loving the car and it's 21mpg of awesomeness!
If you've bought a 1997 to 2003 XJ then this may help.Wheel wobble around that speed is a common XJ fault. They are very, very sensitive to wheel or tyre distortion and wheel balance.
First thing to do is check the tyres on the front are perfectly round and not flat spotted or distorted on the circumference. Jack each wheel up and spin it by hand and look and feel very carefully across the tread to see if there is any bulging or out of round lumps or flat spots. Check the wheel too for any signs of buckling or damage. If they are OK then have the front wheels balanced by a good tyre fitter, wheel balance needs to be absolutely spot on, not just good enough to get away with.
Restricted performance fault code may just be a weak battery, although trac fail is the usual one that occurs if the battery is failing when you start up. With the ignition off disconnect the multi plug on the air flow meter and reconnect. This may have dirty contacts causing a fault. Unplugging will clean them, long shot perhaps but worth a try. You could also try a hard reset. Make sure you have the radio code and know how to programme it back in then disconnect the battery for 10 min or more.
You may need a throttle reset if the gearbox is nor responding to part throttle downchanges. If it's set up properly you should, quite literally be able to play tunes on the box in sport mode although reluctance to change down when in normal mode on part throttle is normal. Throttle reset symptoms are if you find yourself on almost full throttle in a too high gear - like climbing a hill for example - and then with full throttle you get a normal kickdown. My XJ was like this when I bought it and the difference after a reset was amazing.
Stripping the door card off is not too difficult but FFS don't break any of the fasteners. They are not the usual fir tree type and cost £1.13 EACH from the stealer..don't ask me how I know this I just do
Start by carefully prising out the blanking plug behind the door pull handle, and undo the screw, take the screw underneath the armrest out, then prize out the master swich and disconnect it. Using a length of string worked in behind the wood trim and with great care prize off the wood trim and disengage the thin end from the door handle suround. Carefully pop out the fasteners round the door card. Lift it up and away, noting how the rail at the top engages with the window apeture - this is a bit fiddly to refit -and have somebody hold it whilst you disconnect the puddle light and speaker. From memory I think that's it.
You don't say how old you car is or what maintainence has been done but you need to be aware that the secondary timing chain tensioners on any V8 XJ or XK can suddenly fail without any warning and must be changed for the later metal bodied type for peace of mind. A failed tensioner has a good chance of allowing the exhaust cam timing to slip far enough to get piston to valve contact. If it's a keeper you also ought to consider having the "sealed for life" gearbox and 'diff oils changed. These operations were removed from the servicing requirements on the V8 models and gearboxes have become a common known failure due to lubrication breakdown. Ideally you'll have the engine oil changed more often then the 10k service intervals too.
HTH
Thanks for the detailed reply Steve, appreciated.
I've tried unplugging the AFM but no change there.
Sounds like I ought to do a hard reset to clear any historical errors and then get it checked once it happens again?
On my BMWs I've been using Carsoft to read faults and reset stuff - is there a Jag equivalent, or am I at the mercy of a local specialist to do it? Sounds like I should get the throttle reset at the same time - to clarify, it's absolutely fine in Sport mode but not all that responsive when not in Sport mode.
The car is a '98 build, and has full Jaguar SH - my Dad bought the car new and I have just bought it from him. I need to go through the history and check on things like tensioners and oil changes - I'm guessing a main dealer won't have changed the 'box oil if it isn't on the maintenance schedule.
Any idea on cost of getting the tensioners done?
I've tried unplugging the AFM but no change there.
Sounds like I ought to do a hard reset to clear any historical errors and then get it checked once it happens again?
On my BMWs I've been using Carsoft to read faults and reset stuff - is there a Jag equivalent, or am I at the mercy of a local specialist to do it? Sounds like I should get the throttle reset at the same time - to clarify, it's absolutely fine in Sport mode but not all that responsive when not in Sport mode.
The car is a '98 build, and has full Jaguar SH - my Dad bought the car new and I have just bought it from him. I need to go through the history and check on things like tensioners and oil changes - I'm guessing a main dealer won't have changed the 'box oil if it isn't on the maintenance schedule.
Any idea on cost of getting the tensioners done?
Dan
be aware of the flooding issue that these cars have too - happened to me and was a right pia to get it going again.
There are various threads about the place o the subject but in essesnce, don't start it from cold and only run it for a few seconds, such as shunting it around the drive.
Make sure the car is warmed up properly before switching off again else it may flood and wont restart.
be aware of the flooding issue that these cars have too - happened to me and was a right pia to get it going again.
There are various threads about the place o the subject but in essesnce, don't start it from cold and only run it for a few seconds, such as shunting it around the drive.
Make sure the car is warmed up properly before switching off again else it may flood and wont restart.
dan101smith said:
Thanks for the detailed reply Steve, appreciated.
I've tried unplugging the AFM but no change there.
Sounds like I ought to do a hard reset to clear any historical errors and then get it checked once it happens again?
On my BMWs I've been using Carsoft to read faults and reset stuff - is there a Jag equivalent, or am I at the mercy of a local specialist to do it? Sounds like I should get the throttle reset at the same time - to clarify, it's absolutely fine in Sport mode but not all that responsive when not in Sport mode.
The car is a '98 build, and has full Jaguar SH - my Dad bought the car new and I have just bought it from him. I need to go through the history and check on things like tensioners and oil changes - I'm guessing a main dealer won't have changed the 'box oil if it isn't on the maintenance schedule.
Any idea on cost of getting the tensioners done?
To answer your last question first, try Eurojag for secondhand parts, bits I've bought from them have always been good.I've tried unplugging the AFM but no change there.
Sounds like I ought to do a hard reset to clear any historical errors and then get it checked once it happens again?
On my BMWs I've been using Carsoft to read faults and reset stuff - is there a Jag equivalent, or am I at the mercy of a local specialist to do it? Sounds like I should get the throttle reset at the same time - to clarify, it's absolutely fine in Sport mode but not all that responsive when not in Sport mode.
The car is a '98 build, and has full Jaguar SH - my Dad bought the car new and I have just bought it from him. I need to go through the history and check on things like tensioners and oil changes - I'm guessing a main dealer won't have changed the 'box oil if it isn't on the maintenance schedule.
Any idea on cost of getting the tensioners done?
You can buy code readers, but I've no idea what's compatable, what's worth buying and what's not, and how deep they go in to the Jaguar logic system. I'd try a hard reset first - that's free, which I like very much - and you have nothing to loose and then take it from there. as I posted before it might just be a weak battery causing the fault indication to occur
The car will seem different in Sports mode. I drive my XJ in Sports all the time even when ambling around in no hurry, I much prefer the crisper throttle response and the fact it keeps hold of a lower gear for a bit longer. It's also margianly smoother and quieter too with only a tiny penalty in fuel consumption. I'm guessing what you are experiencing between the two modes in normal - if you needed a reset you'd find a really poor part throttle response in both modes.
Main dealer certainly won't have changed the gearbox oil without being asked. Anything past 50 - 60k and the 'box is on borrowed time. Your car would have had the first gen. tensioners fitted from new and might have possibily had the second gen fitted as a result of complaints about start up rattle. The second gen tensioners are also made of plastic and do fail too. The only really safe ones are the metal bodied third gen. type which were never fitted to the X308 from new (that's what your XJ is known as BTW) and are only available as a retro fit. Take the RH cam cover off - the left one is a reet pita to remove - the secondary tensioner is plainly visible between the cam sprockets. If you have a dull reddish orange bodied (gen 1) or creamy yellow bodied (gen 2) tensioner then they are plastic ones and really should be changed asap. The metal bodied ones are a err.. well, metal colour.
Some indies will change just the tensioners for around £400 or so all in. Most however like to play it safe and insist on changing the whole lot - chains, tensioners, guides and sprockets. that's more like £1200. Secondary tensioners alone are an fairly easy DIY. You'll need to hire the timing tools from the JEC and the parts will be around £100.
Other probs. with a pre 2000 car can be thermostats and water pumps. Don't rely on the temp gauge for a accurate picture of the cooling system health, always make sure the coolant is clean and fully topped up. If you overheat or boil a V8 you will f
k it - honest. Early waterpump vanes fall off and the pump looses efficency. Can be OK for months like that but the first time you get stuck in trafic on a hot day is not the best time to find out the pump is shagged. Easy enough to remove and check, and cheap enough to replace with a later type anyway once it's off.Enjoy
ETA.
I forgot there is one other point worth mentioning on an X308 and that's a need for a careful check in the wheel arches behind both front shocks for signs of corrosion. There's a reinforcing plate where the front subframe joins the body via the V mounts, some of these corrode badly, others, somtimes on the other side of the same car, last forever. Corrosion here is an MOT failure and if really bad would be quite a tricky repair. A annual spraying of of Waxoil all over underneath and in the box sections too can do no harm.
Edited by Jaguar steve on Wednesday 30th December 22:39
Dan,
Welcome to Jaguar ownership!
Jaguar Steve is well respected on this Jaguar thread as you may have realised.
Here's one point about timing chain tensioner cost of replacement. I have an S-Type with the 4.2 V8 engine and which has the latest tensioners (steel) from new. It's at around 86,000 miles now and I have started to look ahead to maybe replacing the tensioners etc at 100,000 or so, likely to be in maybe a year's time for me. Today I happened to be at the JMD I have always used (today a new n/s suspension arm, £500 or so but under extended warranty thank goodness) and spoke with the service manager about the potential replacment tensioners job job. I know that indies charge around £1200 or so whereas I have been led to believe a JMD will charge closer to £2000. Anyway, I was told that the full replace all job would be done for around £1300 at the JMD because of the competition on prices from indies! I was also told that they have never had an S-Type in for this job (not sure if this means I need to be concerned about having the job done, that the JMD has no experience, or that the local indies wherever they are have sewn up this particular task)! Both of these are surprising bits of news.
This could be useful information for you, although you have a different Jaguar model, of course.
R.
Welcome to Jaguar ownership!
Jaguar Steve is well respected on this Jaguar thread as you may have realised.
Here's one point about timing chain tensioner cost of replacement. I have an S-Type with the 4.2 V8 engine and which has the latest tensioners (steel) from new. It's at around 86,000 miles now and I have started to look ahead to maybe replacing the tensioners etc at 100,000 or so, likely to be in maybe a year's time for me. Today I happened to be at the JMD I have always used (today a new n/s suspension arm, £500 or so but under extended warranty thank goodness) and spoke with the service manager about the potential replacment tensioners job job. I know that indies charge around £1200 or so whereas I have been led to believe a JMD will charge closer to £2000. Anyway, I was told that the full replace all job would be done for around £1300 at the JMD because of the competition on prices from indies! I was also told that they have never had an S-Type in for this job (not sure if this means I need to be concerned about having the job done, that the JMD has no experience, or that the local indies wherever they are have sewn up this particular task)! Both of these are surprising bits of news.
This could be useful information for you, although you have a different Jaguar model, of course.
R.
BigNige said:
Dan
be aware of the flooding issue that these cars have too - happened to me and was a right pia to get it going again.
There are various threads about the place o the subject but in essesnce, don't start it from cold and only run it for a few seconds, such as shunting it around the drive.
Make sure the car is warmed up properly before switching off again else it may flood and wont restart.
Had mine for 3 weeks and got my first taste of that the other day! Took me ten minutes and a lot of swearing but it eventually burst into life! Mine has a faint wheel wobble too, so I'm pleased I read the above.be aware of the flooding issue that these cars have too - happened to me and was a right pia to get it going again.
There are various threads about the place o the subject but in essesnce, don't start it from cold and only run it for a few seconds, such as shunting it around the drive.
Make sure the car is warmed up properly before switching off again else it may flood and wont restart.
ETA I'm also surprised at how high revving the engine is, very different to my Jaguars of old. I do however feel a little cruel when I kickdown and redline when overtaking. Like I'm working the car a bit harder than I should be. Does anyone else with a 3.2 feel this way or will the feeling wear off when I've been doing it for a few months and the engine hasn't exploded?!! Kind of wishing I'd pushed the boat out and just gone for the XJR now! Beautifully creamy smooth progress when not in a hurry though!
Edited by slippery on Wednesday 30th December 23:09
slippery said:
BigNige said:
Dan
be aware of the flooding issue that these cars have too - happened to me and was a right pia to get it going again.
There are various threads about the place o the subject but in essesnce, don't start it from cold and only run it for a few seconds, such as shunting it around the drive.
Make sure the car is warmed up properly before switching off again else it may flood and wont restart.
Had mine for 3 weeks and got my first taste of that the other day! Took me ten minutes and a lot of swearing but it eventually burst into life! Mine has a faint wheel wobble too, so I'm pleased I read the above.be aware of the flooding issue that these cars have too - happened to me and was a right pia to get it going again.
There are various threads about the place o the subject but in essesnce, don't start it from cold and only run it for a few seconds, such as shunting it around the drive.
Make sure the car is warmed up properly before switching off again else it may flood and wont restart.
ETA I'm also surprised at how high revving the engine is, very different to my Jaguars of old. I do however feel a little cruel when I kickdown and redline when overtaking. Like I'm working the car a bit harder than I should be. Does anyone else with a 3.2 feel this way or will the feeling wear off when I've been doing it for a few months and the engine hasn't exploded?!! Kind of wishing I'd pushed the boat out and just gone for the XJR now! Beautifully creamy smooth progress when not in a hurry though!
Edited by slippery on Wednesday 30th December 23:09
I always think I'm pushing it too hard when I kick down too but I think that's because I'm so used to it just wafting about on a small throttle opening that when I plant it it seems out of character.
BigNige said:
slippery said:
BigNige said:
Dan
be aware of the flooding issue that these cars have too - happened to me and was a right pia to get it going again.
There are various threads about the place o the subject but in essesnce, don't start it from cold and only run it for a few seconds, such as shunting it around the drive.
Make sure the car is warmed up properly before switching off again else it may flood and wont restart.
Had mine for 3 weeks and got my first taste of that the other day! Took me ten minutes and a lot of swearing but it eventually burst into life! Mine has a faint wheel wobble too, so I'm pleased I read the above.be aware of the flooding issue that these cars have too - happened to me and was a right pia to get it going again.
There are various threads about the place o the subject but in essesnce, don't start it from cold and only run it for a few seconds, such as shunting it around the drive.
Make sure the car is warmed up properly before switching off again else it may flood and wont restart.
ETA I'm also surprised at how high revving the engine is, very different to my Jaguars of old. I do however feel a little cruel when I kickdown and redline when overtaking. Like I'm working the car a bit harder than I should be. Does anyone else with a 3.2 feel this way or will the feeling wear off when I've been doing it for a few months and the engine hasn't exploded?!! Kind of wishing I'd pushed the boat out and just gone for the XJR now! Beautifully creamy smooth progress when not in a hurry though!
Edited by slippery on Wednesday 30th December 23:09
I always think I'm pushing it too hard when I kick down too but I think that's because I'm so used to it just wafting about on a small throttle opening that when I plant it it seems out of character.
Using full throttle kickdown and overtaking several dawdling morons in underpowered Euroboxes in one go is not the sort of thing a Gentleman does... 
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